Shards

Shards are, currently, rather pathetic. I'm guessing there won't be one of each of them as there was in the last build, because that was just silly and there appear to be magics for multiple shards in the current version.

They shouldn't be just another form of resource, they should be far more than that. They should be things that can change the balance of a game if used correctly. They're plugged sources of raw elemental power, and we just build cities over them? Hell no.

In my opinion, players should be able to build a structure (magic tower or something) over a shard with a pioneer, or integrate it into a city. The sovereign should siphon power off from it (in terms of essence / spell points / whatever system is going to be in place), with a bonus if the sovereign has the appropriate spell book. That's all fair and simple.

However, using a shard should have a few effects. Just building a tower over one (with a city or not) should apply a city or three tile wide effect, which would effect any combat there. Air makes windy gales (making ranged weapons useless?), fire turns the terrain to desert, earth causes tremors in combat and water would make fog, disguising movements on both sides of the conflict. All shards should probably reduce the effect of any "opposite" magic (ie. fire cancels out water) whilst increasing it's own. This could be represented with a "shimmer" over the appropriate terrain.

Sovereigns with the appropriate spell book can, though, "open up" the shard. They are, essentially, allowing more of the power of the node into the world so they can siphon it off. This should have disastrous consequences on the area surrounding it. Fire would create rivers of lava, water would turn it into sea (with shore on both sides), air would do something I really don't know and earth would turn the surrounding terrain (except for a small path in) into mountains maybe. This should destroy the city or a few tiles surrounding the shard. It should probably be able to be done both remotely and without it's owners consent, if the sovereign is strong enough.

It'd add an interesting (to me at the least) strategic element to the game, as non-magic sovereigns will still want to defend the nodes (to stop others from getting more powerful from them) but it's possible for them to effect them negatively etc etc. It'd also give a massive feeling of strength, as you cast "Unlock Shard" and destroy your opponent's city whilst giving them an influx of power.

Any comments / thoughts?